We Need Your Vote!

Amy Cloughley's author Allen Eskens' debut novel The Life We Bury is up for the Edgar and has received so many great reviews and award nominations. If you haven't picked up a copy, you should!

Real Simple is in the process of trying to choose its next book club book and Allen's book is a close second. We need your help to make Allen's book first choice.

Please visit the Real Simple website by clicking here. It's a simple scroll down to the voting check box to vote for The Life We Bury. As soon as you vote for Allen, you'll see the current results.

To read more about Allen and his book, visit his website by clicking  here.

Thank you for supporting our books!

Oceanview Publishing Giveaway

Oceanview Publishing is giving away 100 free copies of Joe Clifford's Lamentation (free shipping included within the Continental U.S.). Their only hope is that you'll promise to write a review on both Goodreads and Amazon.com.

To get the specifics on the giveaway, go to Joe's blog by clicking here.

Oceanview Publishing recently bought the second book in the Lamentation Series, THE DECEMBER BOYS, which Joe is more than half way finished with. As his agent, I'm looking forward to this next book in the series.

Joe is a master at crafting setting. Though Jay Porter's world is cold and stark in Lamentation, it's never without hope. The cold New Hampshire winter both hinders and helps Jay in this story of loyalty between brothers.

Be sure to request your free copy of Lamentation. No doubt THE DECEMBER BOYS is going to be equally as riveting as Jay Porter comes across a "kids for cash" scheme in his new job.

WHY WRITING MATTERS...

Here I am in the South of France, working and still being completely surprised by the strength of the written word... I read A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeline L'Engle when I was a small girl. It was published in 1962 - it changed my life and brought my imagination to new heights, along with a love of the possibilities of science fiction, the future.  Now three new pages have been released, and reading them brought me right back in time - to what I loved about that book.  I especially appreciate the typos, obviously written on a typewriter.  It's still profound - and over many decades I am still brought right back again, into that story.  May you all write for the ages.

Herewith, is the link if you are interested:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.documentcloud.org/documents/1881486/a-wrinkle-in-time-excerpt.pdf







Amy and Mary Will Be Taking Pitches At PNWA

If you're looking for a writers conference to attend, PNWA in Seattle is a great one. They offer four days packed with informational panels as well as two days of agent/editor pitching.

Both Amy and myself will be attending and taking pitches, so come say hello if you are there!

Amy Cloughley enjoys literary and upmarket fiction of all types in addition to commercial—including well-researched historical and well-told women's fiction. She also loves a page-turning mystery or suspense with sharp wit and unexpected twists and turns. She has a soft spot for distinctive, strong, contemporary characters set in small towns. Amy always looks for an unexpected story arc, a suitable pace, and a compelling protagonist. She is interested in narrative nonfiction when the plot and characters are immersed in a culture, lifestyle, discipline, or industry. She will also consider a travel or adventure memoir.

Mary C. Moore is primarily seeking adult fantasy and science fiction, historical, romance and literary with hints of magical realism or surrealism. She will also consider YA science fiction and fantasy.

Kurt Vonnegut on the Shapes of Stories

Because this is everything:

Keep writing everyone!

- Mary

Allen Eskens wins the Left Coast Crime Rosebud Award!

KC&A is thrilled to announce that Allen Eskens brought home the Left Coast Crime Rosebud Award last weekend for his debut The Life We Bury. The win comes on the heels of Friday's announcement that his book was nominated for a Barry Award. Eskens has also been shortlisted for an Edgar Award and the Minnesota Book Award, so for those who like literary mystery/thrillers this is an excellent addition to a "to read" list.  Congratulation Allen!

Shannon Capone Kirk's METHOD 15/33 Getting Rave Reviews!

Kimberley is excited to announce that her author Shannon Capone Kirk is getting rave reviews for her thriller METHOD 15/33 due out through Oceanview Publishing in May.

Shannon received a starred review in Publishers Weekly.  To review the Publishers Weekly review, click here.

In addition to Publishers Weekly, she also received a nice review from Booklist. Though the review from Booklist is not due to be published until a later date, they have given us permission to post this selection of their review:

"Nietzsche warned us to beware of people with a strong desire to punish. That thought lingers after putting down this dark, disturbing, damnably readable novel...a worthy challenge, a joy to discuss, and a great pairing with John Katzenback's equally riveting What Comes Next (2012)."  —Booklist

To read more about Shannon Capone Kirk and her books, click here.